Call Before You Dig

Call Before You Dig

Call before you dig

It’s fast, it’s free, it’s the law

Washington and Oregon laws require persons doing any type of excavation to Call Before You Dig. The law covers both public and private property. Excavating includes any movement of rocks, soil, or other material on or below ground. You must call at least two business days before you dig. After calling, you must wait two business days before digging so that utility employees have time to complete your request.

What the markers mean

Utility employees will mark the ground with colored paint, stakes, or flags. The marks show the location and path of the utility. The colors of the markings mean the following utilities are underground:

There is a tolerance zone on either side of the markings. Hand dig to expose and determine the exact location of utilities before proceeding with excavation. Keep in mind that utility installation is not the same for all utilities and requirements have changed through the years. Not all utilities are installed with protective casings and can be vulnerable to damage by tools as simple as a shovel. Always proceed with caution when digging around utility lines.